Efforts for their reformntion. 3. The discovery and application of remedies for the mischief they have wrought, III. ITs DEST PRESERVATIVE FROM EVIL. Reflection before acting. "I consulted with myself." No passion more demands self-control, that it run not to excess, nor hurry into unwise and sinful words and deeds. A pause to consider, and the exercise of reflection itself, will supply the needful corrective, and enable us so to govern and guide our anger that it may subserve the ends for which this passion was given. Ver. 7.-Self-consultation "Then I consulted with myself." The power of con- sulting with himself is one of the chief things which distinguish men from brutes. A man can be both the subject and the object of his own thought ; as if there were in him two persons-one thinking, feeling, suggesting, &c. ; the other observing the processes, judging of their worth, and determining accordingly. "My heart con- sulted with me," says Nehemiah (translating literally). "Commune with your own heart," says the Psalmist (Ps. iv. 4). The exercise of this power of self-consulta- tion, or reflection, is of the utmost importance to the wise direction of our lives. "A reflecting mind," says an ancient writer, "is the spring and source of every good thing ; " although it must be acknowledged that it may become the source of the worst wickedness. For the evil which is deliberately planned is far worse than that which is unpremeditated. I. ON WnA'I' WE SHOULD CONSULT OURSELVES. 1. With respect to personal religion. Our condition before God, and in view of eternity. Our sins-their peculiar nature, aggravations, &c. Our duty to God and ourselves in view of them-repentance, confession of sin, faith in Christ, self-surrender to God, a new life. Or, again, a higher and fuller Christian life than we have hitherto lived. What we must encounter if we adopt the better course. A Christian life growing out of reflection will be richer, nobler, more decided, and more stable than one which springs merely from emotion. 2. With respect to our work. What we are best fitted for, and have opportunity to do. How it can be best done. What are its difficulties, and how they can be surmounted. Motives to its performance. Work thus begun and conducted will be done wisely and confidently, and be likely to succeed. II. THE CONDITIONS OF SUCCESSFUL SELF-CONSULTATION. 1. That it be conducted with the aid of the best advisers. The two within us consulting must call in a third-the all-wise God (comp. Pa. x.xv. 4, 5; cxx.xix. 23, 24). And all that can help us to the understanding of his will should be welcomed. 2. That it be accom- panied with serious purpose. To do what is seen to be right and wise. " If any man wills to do his will, he shall know," &c. 3. That it be followed by correspond- ing practice. Consideration may be too prolonged. Some go through life " con- sidering," or pretending to do so, as to the plainest duties ; perhaps also they 11 resolve and re-resolve," yet "die the same."
Yer. 9.-Avoidance of reproach. "Ought ye not to walk?" &c. The" reproach" spoken of here is supposed by some to be that arising from the feeble condition of the Jews, which the conduct of these extortioners was likely to perpetuate and increase. Better, however, to interpret it of the just reproach which such conduct would occasion. J. REPROACHES OF MEN WHICH ARE NOT TO BE REGARDED. Those which are directed against-1. The Christian faith. 2. Christian confession. The bold acknowledg- ment of Christ. 3. Christian life and work. "Fear ye not the reproach of men," &c. (Isa. Ii. 7. See also Rom. xv. 3; Heh. xi. 26). II. REPROACHES THAT SHOULD BE REGARDED. Those which are directed against manifest inconsistencies between our faith and our life, our professions and our practices. Men of the world can understand our religion sufficiently to discern wherein we fail. Their judgment of some things in our conduct may be just, and is then fitted to quicken our consciences and lead us to improvement. " Fas est et ab hoste doceri." We should be careful not to give just "occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blasph('me," for the sake of the credit of religion, the good of enemies then;- eelves, and of other men who may be well disposed, but to whom our inconsistencies 64 THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. [en. v. 1-18
are a stumbling-block. Amongst the occasions of just reproach may be named- 1. Untruthfulness and dishonesty in worldly transactions. 2. Insincerity nnd cant in religions utterances. 3. Selfishness and self-indulgence. 4. Dissension nnd con- tention among Christians. 5. Censoriousness. 6. Gloominess. As contrnsted with our representations of the happiness of religion. 7. Worldly ambition or policy in Chnrch life and work. III. THE SUREST WAY TO AVOID JUST REPROACH. "Ought ye not to walk in the fear of God." Genuine, habitual piety, actuating our whole life, will produce such fruits a~ will commend themselves even to the irreligious who are not malignant foes of what is good, and "put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." Thus fearing God we shall not need to be much concerned about the judgrnent of men. Finally, those who reproach Christians with their inconsistencies condemn themselves. The light by which they do so reveals their own duty. They are as really bound to be genuine and con~istent Christians as those whom they reproach. The obligation to piety and goodness does not spring from the profession of religion, though this may add strength to it ; it rests on all to whom the gospel is known, and if you know enough to condemn others, you know enough to teach you what you ought to be, and to leave you without excuse.